Together, ethos, pathos, logos speak holistically and harmoniously to the human condition of transformation inspired by the nature of an ethical, passionate, rational God.
Christ spoke with authority and credibility,[1] placing his ethos under a pedagogical umbrella. It astonished and moved his disciples. His enemies, on the other hand, exhibited an allergic reaction to his authoritative tone, itching and scratching every time he identified as the Son of God.[2]
He also taught with pathos, relentlessly conveying the love of the Father. For example, his parable of the Prodigal Son[3] illustrates the cultural act of Fatherly love when the father in the story lifted his garment to run in order to welcome back his beloved runaway, exposing his legs in an honor-shame society, where the naked act was strictly forbidden. Incidentally, the same parable expresses the pathos of the Father toward his elder son, who represents the Pharisees. Elsewhere, Jesus verbally thrashed them for their lack of wisdom and compassion, resulting in a dastardly display of hypocrisy.[4]
Lastly, Jesus intentionally used his rationality to substantiate his messianic claims[5] and proclaim the kingdom of God.[6] More convincing and conclusive is the spiritual identification the apostle John makes about Jesus being the embodiment of Logos.[7]
Like a well-rehearsed drama, Christ methodically acted out the Kingdom Come when he spoke the language of heaven: ethos, pathos, logos.
[1] See Matthew 7:29; Mark 1:22; Luke 2:47; 4:32; John 3:2.
[2] See John 5:18; 8:58-59; 10:30-33.
[3] See Luke 15:11-32.
[4] See Matthew 23.
[5] See Luke 4:18-19; 24:27, 44; John 4:25-26; 20:30-31.
[6] See Mark 1:15; Luke 4:43.
[7] See John 1:14.